Hoboken waterfront activist group says both rail yard proposals are flawed; says city ‘fails to provide any new streets or new parks’

Hudson Reporter

Sep 12, 2012 | 2837 views | 1 | 9 | |

HOBOKEN – A Hoboken activist group, the Fund for a Better Waterfront, has proved a formidable opponent over the years when it has opposed large scale development in Hoboken. Wednesday, the group released a newsletter saying two proposals for 52 acres of land near the city’s southern border – one from the city of Hoboken and one from NJ Transit – are “fundamentally flawed.”

The proposals are up for discussion at a special meeting in Hoboken tonight. They are significantly scaled down from a plan introduced by the transit agency four years ago. Original plans included a 70-story building, but were opposed by city officials.

Both entities have pledged to work together on a final proposal for the land, owned by NJ Transit.

FBW said in its statement, “

The gateway to Hoboken, an underutilized rail yard on the city's southern border, is ripe for change and a grand opportunity for us. Unfortunately, the competing plans now being put forth by the City and New Jersey Transit are fundamentally flawed. We are particularly disappointed with the plan proposed for the City by Wallace Roberts and Todd. This plan fails to provide for any new streets or new parks. The plan also fails to provide development that reflects the urban character of Hoboken.

“The 1995 South Hoboken Waterfront Redevelopment required the Port Authority to invest tens of millions of dollars to build parks, a new street system and other infrastructure. The Hoboken Yard Redevelopment Plan includes no such investment that would benefit the public. Unless the plan is altered in some fundamental ways, this will be an opportunity squandered. “